Syllabus 12:45 pm class

 

Long Beach City College

World Regional Geography

Syllabus

Spring 2013
Time: Mondays 12:45pm-3:55pm

Instructor: Ebenezer ‘Kofi’ Peprah

epeprah@lbcc.edu

Text: The World Today: Concepts and Regions in Geography, 3e, H.J Blij and Peter Muller

Course description and Objectives.
This course provides a broad overview of the regions of the world, considering both physical and social characteristics. At the end of the course, students will be provided with information about the various regions of the world, their boundaries, physical characteristics, natural resources, cultural differences, and related problems.

Student Learning Outcome (SLO)

At the end of the semester students will be able to:

1. Define geography and explain its importance in education
2. Understand the importance of regional concept in geographic studies.
3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of why variation in economic, political, and socio-cultural activities exist across regions of the world
4. Compare and contrast the geographic regions of the world and explain the impact of natural and social factors in the delineation of regions
5. Identify and examine the impact of colonization and neocolonization on socio-economic development of certain geographical regions of the world
6. Show where and why humans have established cultural and social patterns
7. Explore the background of various regional conflicts and problems
8. Acquire a global perspective of interconnected places and space

Weeks /dates             Topics                                                                                    

2/11                             review of syllabus/ Introduction to Geography                                                        

2/18                             Washington Day (No Classes)                                  

2/25                             Sub-Saharan Africa (physical and Human sequence)                        

2/25                             Midterm 1/ North Africa SW Asia (Physical Geography)

3/4                               North/Africa Southwest Asia (Human)

3/6                               Flex Day (No Classes)                                                        

3/11                             South Asia (human and physical)

3/18                             East Asia (human and physical)

3/25                             Midterm 2 /Europe (physical)

4/1—4/6                      Spring Break                       

4/8                               Europe (Physical and Human Geography)

4/15                             Russia (physical and human)

4/22                             In-class discussion/Review/Midterm 3

                       

4/29                             South America (physical and human)

5/6                               Middle America (physical and human)

5/13                             In class discussion/ Review /Midterm 4  

5/20                             North America (Physical and human)

5/27                             Memorial Day (No classes)

6/3                               Finals

P.S. I reserve the right to alter the reading, exams, and assignments to improve the quality of this course

Attendance

Class attendance is mandatory. A student missing two weeks in a row  or more than 20% of a course shall be automatically dropped, this is college policy. Be silent, and turn off your noise making devices. Do not interfere with the ability of others to hear or participate in class. Students who are absent or disruptive risks loosing points on their final grade for poor class participation

Grading system

The point system will be used

A total of 300 points

4 Midterm exams each 50x4 points                 = 200

Finals  examination                                         = 60

Positive class participation/attendance           = 20

4 Assignments, map work x 20                      = 80

Total points                                                    = 360= 100%

Academic Honesty:

Lack of honesty in the classroom is considered a very serious offense. Any form of cheating on tests, turning in work which is not one’s own (plagiarism), talking during tests, furnishing false information to instructors or knowingly misrepresenting one-self to the college is grounds for disciplinary action. The consequences of cheating are severe and may include the possibility of expulsion.  (2007-2008 General Catalog, pg. 31)

Classroom Behavior/Etiquette:

All students are expected to conduct themselves in the classroom or any structured academic activity “in a manner consistent with the college’s function as an educational institution.” Any conduct that interferes with teaching, research or administration is subject to possible disciplinary action. All LBCCD students are responsible for adhering to the District’s code of student conduct, which can be found in the schedule of classes. Please remember that cell phones, two ways and pagers should be turned off while in class. Eating and drinking is also prohibited in all buildings except where food is sold or is part of an approved and scheduled activity (2007-2008 College Catalog, pg. 32)

Students with Disabilities:

Students with disabilities needing accommodation make requests to Disabled Students Programs & Services, LAC A119 (562) 938-4558, 938-4833 TTY or PCC AA119 938-3921 or by logging into http://dsps.lbcc.edu Discuss approved accommodations with me. All requests for assistance require advance notice to avoid a delay in services.

Discussions
Regular discussion of current events, as well as of situations where concepts can be applied to real world situations, will form part of the instruction in this class.

Technology
Resources such as online mapping, publishers' website based exercises, and current news reportage and analysis may be used to demonstrate importance and relevance of the materials.

Video technology
Short videos may be used to show other people and places, in order to promote learning about other places and understanding of other cultures.

Class presentation
Class presentations may include a country or region of Africa; a country of "Latin" America; a country of Asia; a survey of Less Developed Countries and possible solutions to poverty.
Since our population is multi-cultural, this can be a valuable resource to bring immediacy to fellow students.

Group Assignment
Students will be required to collaborate on a group research topic, the results of which may be presented in written or oral form.

Exams
Regular exams may include multiple choice questions, shorter essays, verbal and pictorial presentations, or other appropriate tasks. Map questions will usually be included in a written examination, or may be a separately assessed item. Evaluation will be based on the student's mastery of vocabulary and course content.

Quizzes
These are generally used for self-assessment but are important towards your final grade. Quiz dates are hinted during class.



________________________________________________________________________

Assignment #1 due date : 2/25

Subsaharan Africa
1. Use a blank map of Africa and locate the following physical features
A) Sahara Desert,
B)  Kalahari Desert.
C)  The Nile River,
D)  Kilmanjaro Mountain,
E) African transitional zone,
F)  Adamawa highlands,
G)  Atlas Mountains
Due (8/29)

Assignment #2. Due Date: 3/25

Southwest Asia
1. Locate the following areas in Southwest Asia
A. The Gaza Strip
B. The west Bank
C. Golan Height

2. Why are the following terms not a complete description of the Southwest Asia realm?
A. The Arab world
B. Dry World
C. The Middle East
D. The Islamic World


Assignment #3 Due Date: 4/22

South Asia:
1. Use an outline map of east and south south asia  and locatel all the countries in the regions.
2. Explain Why Hinduism is both a centrifugal and centripetal force in India.



Assignment #4  Due Date 5/13
Middle America
1. Use a blank map to locate all the countries in Middle America
2. Write short notes on the following
A Hacienda
B Plantation
C Ejidos

South America
1. Use a blank map of South America and locate all the countries in the realm
2. What is cultural pluralism? Why is South America described as a cultural pluralistic society?